P&P Summer Internship Graduation 2015

The 2nd Annual graduation ceremony sponsored by Workforce Development San Francisco, UNITE HERE! and The Hotel Council,  was given at the Fairmont Hotel Penthouse Suite to acknowledge all the youth that participated in the summer internship program. Each student had  representatives from the hotel or restaurant they worked at say a few words about their shared experiences then presented them with a Certificate of Accomplishment.

P&P student interned in the IT Department at the InterContinental Hotel is being acknowledged by Peter Koehler, General Manager of InterContinental. Peter touched on how this student saved them $20k while creating their new phone system by purchasing recycled products. We are expecting a "big" bonus for him!

Inaugural P&P student also interned at the InterContinental as a Chef Intern. He is now a sophomore in college and  plans to continue working there on weekends and holidays!

2- Inaugural P&P students interned at the Fairmont Hotel as Chef Interns. With them are Chef Andrew, that oversees the young men and Michelle Gaul, California Regional Director of Human Resources. The P&P student standing next to Chef Andrew is working on his 3rd year as an Intern Chef with the Fairmont and the other one was at the InterContinental. One of our other inaugural P&P students whose also been with the hotel for several years couldn't be there because he just started college at Sonoma State.

P&P student interned at Genesys Works in the IT Department. Based on his life skills training with the P&P program, he secured his own internship with Genesys!  The Networking classes paid off!

Kevin Carroll, Executive Director, Hotel Council  of San Francisco, with a graduate from another program and his Mom. In the background  pointing is Thomas Myers, Deputy Director of Workforce Development, Office of Economic and Workforce Development.

Chef Berlin in the middle flanked by P&P graduates along with two young ladies from another program that also interned this summer. Chef Berlin has provided our young men with tools and skills that will last them a lifetime. They absolutely adore him.

Man Kim, President of Lori's Diner, Sears Fine Food, Golden Gate Grill presented P&P with a check to support the program. His involvement in the program is more than the check he presents us  yearly.  Man Kim also takes out time  to visit us at the Y. He gives motivational presentations to the students, invites them to dinner at his location sites and hires them as summer interns. He is  a very humble and  gracious man!

That's me with Chuck Collins, President & CEO of YMCA and Takija Gardner, Executive Director, Bayview YMCA. Chuck gave an eloquent speech remembering a time when Blacks could not be in the Fairmont and how proud he is seeing our young men being exposed to this opportunity. It was a speech I'm glad the young men were able to hear. Directly behind me reaching for a business card to give to a P&P student  is Otis Watson, Assistant Vice President-Western Market, Comerica Bank.

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Gina Fromer, former District VP in YMCA SF and current California State Director for the Trust of Public Land and Anastacia (Tacing) Parker, Associate Executive Director, Bayview YMCA. Two incredible ladies that I have the utmost respect for. Gina is the reason P&P is at the Y!

Mary Bitterman, President, Bernard Osher Foundation, Chuck Collins and  yours truly. Mary and I go way back during her days as the President of KQED. She's always been one of my biggest cheerleaders!

Lyslynn Lacoste, Esq.  BMAGICDirector, San Francisco Office of the Public Defender and Gina Fromer.

I'm standing with the Grandmother and mother of one of our P&P students!

Supervisor Malia Cohen, surrounded by her mother (seated), her sister Kathy and Takija

P&P student that interned at the InterContinental is laughing it up with Casy Neuburger, Human Resource Director, InterContinental. Casey is the mastermind that started the internship program for P&P!. 

I was happy to take this photo with Rashaida Nirobe, Workforce Development Consultant, Lillith Group. Rashaida has been with me when P&P was just an idea on paper. Her support, encouragement and sound advice will always be remembered.  P&P student in the background photobombing the picture. They love doing that!

Workforce Development Consultant and owner of the Lillith Group

My  inaugural students, I've  seen a lot of growth from them in the last couple of years. It's been amazing!

Chef Berlin and I were happy to catch up with Judy Lepe, P&P Volunteer. Judy is such an asset to our program!

P&P student taking out time to speak with Man Kim. Man Kim enjoys telling jokes and the students love when he passes out his signature $2 bills.

Antoinette Sobavalroo, P&P Fundraiser Volunteer, Jackie Wright, Executive Director IT Bookman, Tonie Brock, Photographer (took many of these photos) and Judy Lepe posing for the camera! Tonie Brock was very instrumental with P&P being at the Bayview YMCA!

Julia Barboza, Shelter Care Counselor with San Mateo County and Tacing Parker. 

Grandma was so proud of P&P grandson!

"It takes a Village," this is mine! Standing in front of me is Lionel Armstrong, my supportive husband!

We thank you all for coming and supporting Primed & Prepped!

Primed & Prepped Program Sessions

  September 15, 2015- December 17, 2015 J

January 5, 2016-May 12, 2016

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

4:00-6:30 pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMED & PREPPED  CONTACT KELLY ARMSTRONG AT THE BAYVIEW YMCA (415) 822-7728 OR EMAIL KARMSTRONG@YMCASF.ORG.

How Time Flies....Summertime Is Over!

CONGRATULATIONS ARE IN ORDER!

The Golden Gate Restaurant Association's 1st Annual Industry Conference

acknowledged and gave a $5k scholarship to one of our inaugural students that's enrolled in City College of San Francisco's Culinary Program

Not only did he receive a scholarship but he also volunteered at the event as a Culinary Assistant during a training session 

Samantha M. Higgins,Communications and Public Policy Associate

Golden Gate Restaurant Association posing with P&P student at the conference held at CCSF Chinatown/North Beach Campus

End Of Class Ceremony

The students decided they wanted to have an Iron Chef Competition as the End of Class Ceremony. Teams were formed, judges were selected,  the secret ingredient  was revealed. What team will earn the bragging rights as the Iron Chef Winners? 

This is Team Alfonso

This is Team Erik

These are two inaugural  Students Rickey (P&P's first Iron Chef Winner ) and Lahrul.
They prepared the food for the guest while Chef Berlin was overseeing the two competing teams.

It was incredible watching these two pull everything together.

They work well as a team. 

Now they are ready to explain the dishes they prepared as they serve the guest!
They are the perfect example of what Primed & Prepped is!

Fresh green salads and fruit platters!

 Delicious Lasagna

Three types of chicken wings, teriyaki, barbecue and garlic! So tasty!!

Chef Berlin gave the instructions along with the secret ingredient (basil)  and put them fast to work

It was incredible the amount of focus they all had. They were really getting into it!

Families were there supporting the youth!

After taking a peek in the kitchen observing the youth, family members sat patiently waiting for the next step in the competition!

The judges were excited about the contest and  couldn't wait to taste the food.

Each one of the judges are fans for the TV program Iron Chef so this was bringing their favorite show to life!

The judging begins! Each team had to make sauteed zucchini, barbecue and dill wings with a balsamic glaze design. Hot mustard glazed wings with Jr. Chef salad with baby Arugula, Spinach smoked Gouda Cheese. They had other food choices that they could also incorporate into their dishes.

The winning team is Team Erik! They now have the bragging right as the Iron Chef Winners! They added a hot dog with a special sauce that put them over the top, all the judges loved it!

Chef Berlin thanked Lahrul and Rickey for being excellent role models for the program. Our other advanced student, Tristen, another inaugural student, came in a little later and helped with the clean up!

Breakfast Anyone?

Chef Berlin taught them several techniques for cooking eggs, They loved it!

This plate was an example of scrambled eggs, grits, fresh fruit, raisin toast and turkey bacon. Yum! 

They learned how to make fresh orange juice and they added blue berries for effect!

One of Chef Berlin favorite knife skills builders is having them cut lots of fruit and veggies!

My favorite is watching the students when they are all focused and working as a team!

I can hear Chef Berlin saying, "Hey guys, what did I ask you to do? Is that what you are doing?"

See thes pants hanging where they shouldn't be, that was addressed in class with three words...Wear a Belt!!

Each student learns how to wash and properly dry dishes. Cleanliness is a must!

   ServSafe Training

According to the National Restaurant Association, ServSafe training and certification is recognized by more federal, state and local jurisdictions than any other food safety certification. 

All P&P students prepare and take the ServSafe Food Handler Certification!

Chef Berlin has a captive audience!

During the training, the students shadow him throughout the kitchen learning the do's and don'ts of sanitation!

After he demonstrates, he questions the students, give pop quizzes and have them demonstrate what they saw.

  Festus Ezeli of the Golden State Warriors Hangs Out in the Kitchen with P&P

Festus had such a good time hanging out with us. He promises when his schedule lightens up that he will be back!

Primed & Prepped Program begins September 15, 2015

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday

4:00-6:30 pm

FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT PRIMED & PREPPED  CONTACT KELLY ARMSTRONG AT THE BAYVIEW YMCA (415) 822-7728 OR EMAIL KARMSTRONG@YMCASF.ORG.